Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-05-07

$50 sSub u"ot "C ~ u SuHs
GAS you please. 1t is the next step in the
inquiry. You understand that l shall con-
meet these three checks, as we'll as the other
two, with Norah or her brotheri'
you will try"
"The question is" said Mr.. Murridge,
first, where you got those checklist and next,
for what consideration"
"As regards the FIRST" replied the
stranger, you ought to know to whom you
gave them."
Il did not give them 70 any one. Those
checks were stolen, and the signature Is a
forgery"
'Reallyl That is awkward. 1t is very
awkward"
But tell u.s. cried Hugh, impatiently,
springing to his feet. Tell us, mani"
II am much distressed to hear this,'' said
the stranger. 81 confess when l saw this
advertisement this morning, that l feared
there was something wrong about the
checks. am most distressed"
You have not answered my question
yet" said Mr.. Murridge. Never mind your
| distress"
II am distressed on your account, sir.
However, the person from whom l received
the checks was your own son, Mr.. Richard
Murridge.'
"What!' MIR. Murrldge shouted.
"Your own son-no other, certainly" =,
Hugh sat down
"Why-why-for what consideration did
you receive that money!
I'm part payment OF q loan. / had lent
my young friend, from time to time, sums
of money amounting in all'-he produced a
pocketbook and looked at an entry-'to
forty mine pounds nineteen shillings. He
hos mid mo nv fhroo inst alnpopto ~ %-o1,o
pounds each-thirty-six pounds. There re-
mains, therefore, the sum of thirteen pounds
nineteen shillings-thirteen guineas we will
say. For this | have his acknowledgements
here it is"
He handed Mr.. Murridge a slip of paper
. simple l o U drawna and signed by his son.
Mr.. Murridge examined It As be held ;.
in his hand tho room became dark, and tns
figures before him stood as il in thick cloud,
and Hugh's voice was like o voice in q
dream. For he suddenly understood that IL
was his son, and not Norah at all, who had
done this thing, and he saw in the signature
of his son what he had never noticed before
perhaps he had never before seen his sons
signature-a fatal resemblance to his own
You have not yet, SIR said Hugh,
given us your name and address,"
Tn stranger laid his card upon the table.
Hugh took 1t, read 1t, and handed it to Mr..
MUIR idge.
square. That address will always lind
you9'
II am in lodgings there. That address
will find me for a fe weeks longer"
Why did you lend my son money" Mr..
Aurridge asked, quietly.
10 pay bis losses at cards"
cards4"
your SOM losses at cards"
y on Will have to prove these things,
sir" said Mr.. Murr;dge. You will have to
prove them You shall go before a magis-
trate."
Before the lord mayor himself if you
please. Meantime l will keep this little
document He replaced the I o U in his
pocketbook. Aud if l might suggest, as
the next step, you might put one or two
questions to your son. AS, first. how and
has doEe lately in the matter of luck; and,
thirdly, who has lent him money to go on
withl'
Mr.. Murridge said nothing.
"As to the nrst, he will reply that he spends all
his evenings at a certain c!ua, where there is social
conversation. with q lt;le friendly gambling-such
q a baccarat table and tables for ecarte. and so
forth. and that he Is q gambler acharne-for his age.
lhave never seen a more determined gambler. AZ
TOR the second question. he will tell you that luck
mas been very much against him for some weeks;
and. as to the third, that the proprietor Of the club
lent him money from time to time. When you have
put these QUESTIONS and received these answers, I
think that you will not want to go before any mag.
tstrates!"
You are, then" said Hugh. "the proprietor Of .
gambling c!ub7'
II am Its founder. young gentleman. I shall be
happy TO welcome you; in case you, too, like Nj.
Richard Aurridge. ar, devoted to the cen table.
You VII find the club q highly respectable body Of
| gentlemen"
Mr.. Aurr:ds. sa. quite silent.
Just then DaEodil arrived. He knew nothing of
any trouble, and walked In with his careless. cheer.
full bearing.
! 'tHers I I'm. Mr.. Nurrtdss. What do you want me